Becoming an Organ Donor | DonateLife Week 2017

Did you know that one organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people? And that ticking the box when you renew your Drivers license isn't considered enough any more? As part of DonateLife Week, we help answer some common questions and show you how simple it is to become an organ donor.

One of my New Years resolutions this year was to become an organ donor – OFFICIALLY. I slowly ticked some of the easy resolutions off my list. By April, I still hadn’t acted on this one. It was then that a (distant) friend on Facebook asked her friends to please register to become a donor. She had provided the link to register. Within a minute it was done. Simple. Well I did have to get off the couch to grab my Medicare number from my wallet.

And about my distant friend on Facebook? Later I found out that her second child was born with Cystic Fibrosis and they have been in and out of hospital a number of times. I don’t know much about the disorder, except that it affects the lungs and other organs. I hope their little girl never needs a transplant but if she does I hope there is one available. Her parents haven’t publicly talked about her CF but they wished her a happy first birthday last week. She is absolutely gorgeous.

Organ Donation

Only 1-2% of people die in hospital in the specific circumstances where organ donation is possible. The circumstances in which you can become a tissue donor are less limited. The good news is that organ donation is on the rise. In 2016, 503 deceased organ donors and their families gave 1,447 Australians a new chance of life.

In Australia, the family of every potential donor will be asked to confirm the donation decision of their loved one before donation can proceed. Make sure you tell your family about your wishes, it’s one of those 5 minute conversations you can have at the dinner table.

If you previously recorded a donation decision on your state driver’s licence, you will need to join the Australian Organ Donor Register now. South Australia is the only state that still recognises your donation decision on your licence.

You will often see me chasing my very active little boys. We love swimming, bush walks, play dates, cooking, music, gardening, crafternoons, gymnastics, scooter rides and exploring new parks. Occasionally we pause to admire trains, diggers, bridges and garbage trucks. And we always snuggle up to read heaps of books before bed.

RANDOM PARK

ParraParents is full of handy local information to make life a little easier for parents in the Parramatta district and surrounding areas. It is written by parents for parents and hopefully helps you create some fond family memories. ParraParents is an extension of the Parramatta District Mums Facebook group.